Development of an integrated platform for probe microscopy-based mechanobiology experiments

Markwell, Christopher (2023) Development of an integrated platform for probe microscopy-based mechanobiology experiments. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

Utilising Atomic Force Microscopy to probe the mechanical properties of biological elements is crucial for comprehending cellular microenvironments and gaining deeper insights into surface morphology. This work primarily aims to explore the effects of acousto-mechanical stimulation on dermal fibroblasts by examining proliferation rates and mechanical properties.

Additionally, AFM serves as an important tool for examining the morphology of materials, complementing its use in testing the mechanical properties of cells. This study investigates changes in the morphology of silica-based antiviral surfaces and bacterial cellulose using AFM.

Exploring the effects of acousto-mechanical stimulation on dermal fibroblasts is achieved through experimental investigations using Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices. These devices generate regular periodic waves directed into a chamber containing cells. To accomplish this, four devices are employed, each with S11 frequencies ranging from 9.5MHz to 27MHz. The findings from this study demonstrate an increase in the proliferation of Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (NHDF) and an enhancement in cell stiffness, with the maximum proliferation observed across all powers and devices reaching 241% above the control.

After the final stimulation, stiffness values were measured for both the stimulated cells and the control cells, the latter growing under the same circumstances without stimulation. Blunted pyramidal cantilever tips were employed for the atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based measurements. Stimulated cells exhibited increased average effective Youngs’ modulus of between 64% and 106% with a broader distribution. The widening distribution in stiffness values indicates the non-uniform effect of acousto-mechanical excitation.

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